Burmese etymology

Etymology

The word "Burma" is derived from the Burmese: ဗမာ (pronounced: [bəmà]), which is a shortened form of the historical name "Myanma" (pronounced: [mjəmà]).

Meaning

• Burma: A shortened form of the name of the country, Myanmar.
• Myanma: The official name of the country, which means "land of the Bamar people" or "land of the strong".
• Bamar: The majority ethnic group of Myanmar, comprising over 68% of the population.

Origin

The origin of the name "Burma" is debated, with several theories proposed:

• Burmanization Theory: This theory suggests that the name "Burma" originated with the Pyu, an ancient people who inhabited the area before the Bamar. The Pyu word "puma" or "buruma" may have been used to refer to the Bamar or their settlements.
• Mon Theory: According to this theory, the name comes from the Mon word "Ramañña," which meant "land of the Mons." The Bamar may have adopted this term to refer to their own country.
• Occupational Theory: Another theory suggests that the name is derived from the Burmese words "brom" (water spring) and "mara" (dry), referring to the country's geography, which is characterized by both abundant rainfall and arid regions.

Over time, the name "Burma" became widely used by Western colonial powers and was eventually adopted by the country itself. However, in recent years, the official name has been changed to "Myanmar" to reflect the country's rich cultural heritage and diversity.

Burmese relate terms

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  Etymology The name Burma comes from the Burmese word Bamar which refers to the major

• Myanmar

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• Myanmar

  Etymology The name Myanmar is derived from the Burmese words Myan မ န်

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• atavism